Ladder



H. C. BISSELL'AND G. CHASE.

'LADDER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12 191-9.

Maia-Q8892 T7. 6. C. 2ase Patented June 1, 1920.

2 SHEE'lS-SHEET 1- H. C. BISSELL AND J. G. CHASE.

LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, I919 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Z5: 'zaoa Patente tl June 1, 1920.

UNETED STATES PATENT @FFEQE.

HARRY C. BISSELL AND- JAMES G. CHASE, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent. -Patentgd J [111% 1 lggg Application filed June 12, 1919. Serial No. 303,533.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY C. BIssELL and JAMns G. CHAsE, citizens of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention has for its object to provide a simply constructed and inexpensive ladder formed of upper and lower sections capable of joint use as an extension ladder, of individual use as two separate ladders, and of being used together as a step ladder, novel means being provided for connecting the two ladder sections.

lVith the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and shown in the accompanyin drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of our invention in use as an extension ladder.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts broken away and in section illustrating more particularly the connecting means between the two ladder sections.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section approximately in line with the studs 6.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing the upper section of the ladder folded between the stiles of the lower section.

Fig. 5 is an edge view with the ladder sections positioned as seen in Fig. 4, parts being broken away and in section.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing more particularly the means for connecting the two ladder sections.

In the drawings above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates the lower section of the ladder which consists of stiles 2 and rungs 3, said stiles being spread at their lower ends to a suficient extent to prevent tilting, while the upper ends of said stiles are disposed in parallel relation. Suitable braces 4 may be provided between at least one of the rungs 3 and the stiles 2, and said braces may well be formed of a single rod bent into appropriate shape with its ends suitably secured to the stiles while its intermediate portion is anchored by staples or the like 5 to the rung.

Near their upper ends, the stiles 2 are provided with inwardly extending studs 6 and below said studs, blocks 7 are secured to the inner sides of said stiles.

The upper ladder section 8 consists of stiles 9 and rungs 10, said stiles converging attheir upper ends and being secured to a suitable block 11 which is preferably of the design shown. The lower ends of the stiles 9 are parallel and are receivable between the stiles 2 of the lower ladder section 1. Elongated plates 12 are suitably secured to the outer sides of-the stiles 9, at the lower ends of the latter and are provided with T-slots 13 whose lateral openings extend through one edge of said plates, while their heads 15 extend longitudinally thereof. The slots 13 receive the studs 6 and permit relative slid- 7 ing and pivoting of the ladder sections 1 and 8, as well as allowing entire disconnection of said sections. The ends of the plates 12 are provided'with notches 16 to receive the blocks 7, the notches of one end of said plates engaging said blocks when the section 8 is erected for use, while the notches at the other end of said plates cooperate with the blocks when the upper section is folded downwardly between the stiles 2 of the lower section as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. The sides of the notches 16 and the blocks 7 are provided with coacting bevels 17 which serve to snugly force the stiles 9 against the rungs 3 when the upper section is shifted downwardly to the proper extent.

By the arrangement shown and described, the upper section 8 may be disposed vertically to allow the device to be used as an extension ladder, and the cooperation between the blocks 7 with the ends of the plates 12 will then serve to prevent pivotal movement of the two sections around the studs 6, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 2. By relatively sliding the two sections to the proper extent, the plates and blocks may be disengaged allowing the upper section to swing downward and serve as a leg, so that the ladder may be used as an ordinary step ladder. The shape of the slots 13 also permits the two ladder sections to be entirely disconnected so that they may be used as two separate ladders, and whenever desirable,

The device is of great advantage for fruit pickers, but is equally as well adaptable for painters, carpenters and others, and since probably the best results may be obtained from the details disclosed, they may well be i followed. We wish it understood however that within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous minor changes may well be made.

We claim:

1. A ladder comprising a lower section consisting of stiles and rungs, opposed studs extending inwardly from said stiles near their upper ends, blocks secured to the inner sides ofs'aid stiles below said studs, an upper ladder section foldable downwardly between the stiles ofsaid lower section and movable section consisting of stiles and rungs, and

two ladder sections, the ends of said plates 25 engaging said blocks to normally prevent pivotal movement of said ladder sections until after relative sliding of said sections to I disengage said plates and blocks.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said blocks and the ends of said plates having coacting beveled surfaces for forcing. the upper ladder section tightly against the rungs of the lower section until after. relative sliding of said sections to disengage said plates and blocks.

In testimony whereofwehave hereuntorset our hands.

HARRY, G. BISSELL.

JAMES G. CHASE. 

